ATP final
LONDON - Novak Djokovic celebrated his return to the top of the world rankings with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the ATP Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena on Monday. Despite having just one grand slam title to his name this year — the Australian Open — Djokovic replaced Roger Federer as world No.1 on Monday after a brief spell playing second fiddle to the Swiss star. Only David Ferrer has been able to equal Djokovic's impressive total of 71 match wins during the course of 2012, meaning for the second year in a row the Serb will finish the season on top of the rankings.
Missing sister
SAO PAULO - Brazilian police say they are investigating the possible kidnapping of the younger sister of Brazil striker Hulk. Authorities say 22-year-old Angelica Aparecida Vieira de Sousa has been missing since Monday afternoon after being left in front of a restaurant in the northeastern city of Campina Grande. A person who was with her at the time told police that he thinks she was kidnapped.
Coach sacked
LONDON - Craig Levein paid for a poor run of results when he was sacked as national team manager by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on Monday. "The Scottish FA tonight announces that Craig Levein has been relieved of his duties as Scotland National Coach," said an SFA statement. The former Scotland defender guided the Scots to just three wins in his 12 competitive matches in charge after replacing fellow former international George Burley in 2009.
Racist gesture
LONDON - British police investigating an alleged racist gesture by a Chelsea supporter towards a black Manchester United player arrested a 28-year-old man on Monday, Scotland Yard said. Several British newspapers last week printed a picture taken during Chelsea's dramatic 5-4 League Cup win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday which appeared to show a fan making a monkey gesture at striker Danny Welbeck.
IAAF award
MONTE CARLO - Sprint superstar Usain Bolt, hurdler Aries Merritt and middle-distance runner David Rudisha are the final contenders for the Athlete of the Year award, the ruling athletics body IAAF said on Monday. Jamaican Bolt won unprecedented back-to-back Olympic title trebles in the 100 metres, 200m and 4x100m, anchoring the relay to a world record. If he wins the award, he would be the first to get it four times, following 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Dedication
HAMBURG, Germany - World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has dedicated his 22nd title fight this weekend against Poland's Mariusz Wach to the memory of his late trainer Manny Steward. Having coached Klitschko for the past nine years, Steward passed away suddenly on October 24 in his home town of Detroit after suffering from cancer.
Oldest fan
WARSAW - Poland's oldest-known football fan has passed away at the aged of 103, just weeks after attending his last-ever match at his beloved Sandecja Nowy Sacz, the club said on Monday.